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Topic: What small things did you do TODAY to save money? (Read 5313375 times)

Boyfriend wants to go to MEC to buy bike lights. I said that we could go for him but that I can source some for $10 on kijiji.

I love him but I'm glad we don't live together and never will. I would have been in one of those fighting couples for the last seven years if we lived together.

Sometimes it seems so strange because since we started dating, he's become spendier. His income has increased but it's still less than mine. I guess he will return to his formally frugal ways if he feels he needs to.

Yesterday - after running my half marathon, I had two cups of the free (and delicious!) coffee and some food at the after-race party instead of the big mocha I usually treat myself to.

Stopped by the feed store on my way home from the race instead of making a separate trip. Bought a cheaper brand of chicken feed that's $3 less per bag, and used a $10 off coupon, so one bag was almost free.

Instead of turning on the heat when we got home to a 58 degree house, built the first fire of the year, which was much cozier than just flipping on the heat anyway.

Got off my butt and cleaned the inside of my car after talking about paying the car wash near work to do it.

Friends were going for coffee at Starbucks. Initially, I was going to bike there and just get a tall bold ($2 or so). But then they decided to go to a Starbucks 15 km from me (instead of 6 km). Rather than getting a drive there and spending money on the coffee, I just declined. I didn't want to bike 30 km, because then I knew I would get hungry and probably end up buying food, and I didn't want to spend the money to drive there.

We haven't used our car at all this weekend, though we will have to use it tonight for swimming, but it's all four members of the family, and we will also tuck a couple of errands in the trip, so it will be efficient.

Nancy

I repatched my jeans making them wearable once again. They are so soft. I can't quit them. I also patched my gardening jeans and my new jeans that started getting the bicycle seat tear after only a few months. Weak sauce.

After getting my haircut, I didn't schedule another visit. My self haircutting tools already arrived and later this month I will cut my own hair.

Bada$$! I just started cutting my hair myself. It looks pretty good. It saves time and is free!

Today I cooked a batch of food for the week. I made green smoothies for breakfasts, hard boiled eggs for snacks, cooked a few sweet potatoes for lunches, and cooked a large serving of rice to serve with our dinners. I also brewed a large batch of tea that is cooling in the fridge.

We needed to create order out of chaos in the home office/library, so I shopped at a consignment store. They had a good size bookcase that looked like IKEA, so I looked it up on line and sure enough, it was an Ikea Kallax. Get this, the consignment store wanted more ($199) than IKEA did for a brand new one ($139)! I measured the space and decided I needed two. I checked Craigslist and found a guy selling two, plus a bunch of drawer and cabinet inserts. Except when I called him, he only had one left. So I searched CL again and found another of the same one. After a bit of juggling, I bought 2 bookcases, and 7 cabinet/drawer inserts from two different people in two different towns. Odd factoid: both were moving to the D.C. area. Anyway, instead of $458 new from Ikea, I spent $230 on almost as good as new. So not exactly cheap, but still a good deal for not a lot of extra effort. And yes, we used our paid-for truck to pick it up today (Sorry, MMM). Since DH walks to work, I have no worries about driving on the weekends when we need to.

I thought about turning on the pilot light of my gas heater this morning, but instead, I put on my down jacket. It was 53F in my house--not too bad. Tonight, though, the outside temp is supposed to be in the low 20s, which means tomorrow morning, I may wimp out and turn the heat on.

Took the bus to my workplace this morning ($1) instead of driving my own vehicle (would have had to buy a $5 parking pass). Normally, I would walk or bike, but my injured leg doesn't allow for either of those right now.

I'm starting to figure out Christmas gifts for my very non-mustachian family....my brother mentioned that he would really like a panini press.

I was pretty sure that would be more than my Christmas budget ($50), as the best deal I could find was $85. Then I remembered I hadn't done anything with my airmiles in a while.....so I checked, and lo and behold....there was a Cuisinart Griddler, and I had more than enough miles to get it. Christmas gift procured, $0 spent.

I don't regret the loss of the Airmiles because there isn't really anything I need, and the type of miles I had been accruing isn't good for gift cards/cash.

I have a small hand grinder, a moca-pot and a camping stove in a little draw string bag. They tend to come with me on long car trips so that I can stop somewhere with a view to have my fresh ground coffee, rather then a road side cafe somewhere uninspiring with day old filter.

Today I borrowed the tools to fix the broken/missing spoke on my bike.

Precooked 2 chickens and bagged up the meat to be added to casseroles or frozen chicken stock for soups that teens can easily make.

Planned to make buns for the freezer but haven't gotten around to it - bought $1.29 Winco bread to bridge the gap (the same nice loaves are over $4.00 in Canada)

Sorting through Christmas and stocking gifts that I've already purchased. Making a good list so that husband can fill in the gaps while I'm recovering.

I did this last year before a major surgery. The funny thing was I bought more pre-made stuff like burritos than I usually do (less thinking for the Hub if the directions are on the package) and was kind of appalled at the prices. The Hub, who had just come back from a couple of weeks of travel on the governments dime was dazzled by how cheap it was compared to what he had been paying to eat out.

Precooked 2 chickens and bagged up the meat to be added to casseroles or frozen chicken stock for soups that teens can easily make.

Planned to make buns for the freezer but haven't gotten around to it - bought $1.29 Winco bread to bridge the gap (the same nice loaves are over $4.00 in Canada)

Sorting through Christmas and stocking gifts that I've already purchased. Making a good list so that husband can fill in the gaps while I'm recovering.

I did this last year before a major surgery. The funny thing was I bought more pre-made stuff like burritos than I usually do (less thinking for the Hub if the directions are on the package) and was kind of appalled at the prices. The Hub, who had just come back from a couple of weeks of travel on the governments dime was dazzled by how cheap it was compared to what he had been paying to eat out.

I did buy a few pre-made things: cabbage rolls, fish sticks and a bag of oven fries. The prices were indeed appalling!

I have just put 2 more chickens in the roaster and have 10 bananas ready to make into 4 banana breads this afternoon. Even though its a lot of work to make everything ahead of time, I am trying to exercise some bada**ity and get this done! haha! My husband wanted me to buy lots of pre-made meals but I just couldn't do it. I figure I have 2 more days to get as much done as is humanly possible! Then I will be sitting in my rocking chair for 8 weeks, so I will get plenty of rest then! haha!

Warmed up leftover coffee from yesterday instead of making a fresh pot.

That is going way to far :)I am thinking about switching to a French Press to make smaller amounts. Left over re-heated coffee makes me sad.

I switched to the French press years ago, mainly to get the big coffee maker off of the counter, and now I would never go back. It just plain makes better coffee, and it is easy to make exactly the right amount. The only other coffee device I use is a single-cup Melitta cone, which I use at work to brew a cup in the a.m.

Someone needs to convince me to buy a French Press. I'm ashamed to say I pour out about 2 cups of coffee every day because reheated makes me gag (and the big regular coffee maker doesn't make a decent brew for quantities less than 4 cups).

Warmed up leftover coffee from yesterday instead of making a fresh pot.

That is going way to far :)I am thinking about switching to a French Press to make smaller amounts. Left over re-heated coffee makes me sad.

I switched to the French press years ago, mainly to get the big coffee maker off of the counter, and now I would never go back. It just plain makes better coffee, and it is easy to make exactly the right amount. The only other coffee device I use is a single-cup Melitta cone, which I use at work to brew a cup in the a.m.

Someone needs to convince me to buy a French Press. I'm ashamed to say I pour out about 2 cups of coffee every day because reheated makes me gag (and the big regular coffee maker doesn't make a decent brew for quantities less than 4 cups).

Use the big pot. Do a full brew

[caffeine] AND DRINK MORE COFFEE DAMMIT…. IT WORKS FINE FOR ME…. [/caffeine]

Writing a shopping list for the next week based around what we already have in the house, and all the meals will be 'stretched' with cheap but healthy ingredients (like shredded carrot, the greatest thing ever).

Needed new work clothes, so I bought dresses on ebay - 1/3 the price of new dresses by this brand, but I know they'll fit well, look great and last the distance, because it's a brand I've tested out pretty thoroughly. So, cheap but great quality, win-win :-)

Warmed up leftover coffee from yesterday instead of making a fresh pot.

That is going way to far :)I am thinking about switching to a French Press to make smaller amounts. Left over re-heated coffee makes me sad.

I switched to the French press years ago, mainly to get the big coffee maker off of the counter, and now I would never go back. It just plain makes better coffee, and it is easy to make exactly the right amount. The only other coffee device I use is a single-cup Melitta cone, which I use at work to brew a cup in the a.m.

Someone needs to convince me to buy a French Press. I'm ashamed to say I pour out about 2 cups of coffee every day because reheated makes me gag (and the big regular coffee maker doesn't make a decent brew for quantities less than 4 cups).

Melitta cone is way cheaper than a French press, but then you still have to buy filters. It's my favorite coffee ever. I have a 13 year old cone that I've used almost daily, so I feel I've gotten my $3's worth out of it. Then I have a bigger one that is designed to brew directly into a thermos, so plenty of tasty, piping-hot coffee. Personally never cared for French press coffee, though I felt like I "should".

I love my French press so much. I have a fancy pants bodum one (double wall stainless) but my 10 dollar version from IKEA works just as well. French press is best for people who like bold coffee flavour and who are willing to buy decent beans. If you like weaker, sweet, milky coffee, it is probably not the best for you.

Writing a shopping list for the next week based around what we already have in the house, and all the meals will be 'stretched' with cheap but healthy ingredients (like shredded carrot, the greatest thing ever).

Needed new work clothes, so I bought dresses on ebay - 1/3 the price of new dresses by this brand, but I know they'll fit well, look great and last the distance, because it's a brand I've tested out pretty thoroughly. So, cheap but great quality, win-win :-)

My new favourite forum member - I love shredded carrot (or any carrot for that matter)!

I love my French press so much. I have a fancy pants bodum one (double wall stainless) but my 10 dollar version from IKEA works just as well. French press is best for people who like bold coffee flavour and who are willing to buy decent beans. If you like weaker, sweet, milky coffee, it is probably not the best for you.

I like strong coffee without sugar, I just don't like the sludge from the French press. Seriously, lots of coffee snobs recommend Melitta cones - I worked in a coffee shop in college that made all its coffee by the cup that way, and we had a devoted following of customers. Nothing wrong with French press if you like it, but it's not the only way to get a good, strong cuppa.

I love my French press so much. I have a fancy pants bodum one (double wall stainless) but my 10 dollar version from IKEA works just as well. French press is best for people who like bold coffee flavour and who are willing to buy decent beans. If you like weaker, sweet, milky coffee, it is probably not the best for you.

I like strong coffee without sugar, I just don't like the sludge from the French press. Seriously, lots of coffee snobs recommend Melitta cones - I worked in a coffee shop in college that made all its coffee by the cup that way, and we had a devoted following of customers. Nothing wrong with French press if you like it, but it's not the only way to get a good, strong cuppa.

The aeropress is an excellent alternative too (and at $30, not uber crazy expensive). I've had a melitta cone and I agree that they are awesome. That's what I used when I was a student and I wouldn't hesitate to use one again if I had to, but I've discovered I really like my coffee unfiltered. I find filtering removes some of the bold flavour (maybe the oils?) so I go for French press, or one of those stove-top italian coffee makers if I want espresso.

As for sludge, I just pour the coffee through a steel strainer (it's not super fine so it just gets the grounds, not all the fine silt). I've just grown accustomed to not drinking the bottom centimetre of coffee. ;)

Was invited to Starbucks to have coffee with two girlfriends. I had already had all the coffee I wanted at home and was drinking tea so I just poured some tea in my travel mug and took it with me. It worked out well, I held the table for us while they went up to the counter and bought $5.00 coffees. Had a great chat and nobody noticed or cared where my tea came from.

I really like Mocha Frappicino's from Starbucks but haven't bought one in 2 years. My wife helped me figure out that you need to use instant coffee to try to replicate the recipe. My recipe is below. I never really measure anything. This is all done by eyeballing.

I have a preference for the consistency of ice cubes. Not too thick and not too thin. This can be perfected by adding a little milk or additional ice cubes at the end to get the correct consistency. You need a decent blender to blend the ice cubes.

Traveling for work this weekend and early next week. I wish I got a per diem, but instead I have a company card and expense my meals while I'm on the road.

This is a driving trip, so I've packed my small cooler as well as a bunch of my food storage containers. I'll make a point of ordering foods that keep well as leftovers and transfer my to-go boxes into sealed containers as soon as I get back to the room. I can never finish a restaurant meal, so I should have 5-6 meals worth of leftovers when I get home!

Bought DD a canvas bag for work from LLBean.Used Paypal to pay for it. All PayPal money if from selling things on ebay that were given to me or I acquired at no cost.

Bringing lunch is something I do just about every work day of the year.Usually it's hummus with cucumber on pita or wheat tortilla.Today had leftover rice and vegetables from supper last night. It was a nice change of pace to have something warm.....just saw the first snowflakes of the year starting to fly out there.

Needed a pair of running shoes for an upcoming vacation, fixed an old pair with a $7 tube of Show Goo and damn--they look good! (There was nothing really wrong with them--the rubber along the sides of the soles had just come loose in a few places which would have leaked in sand and water.)

I just did one of those product surveys, and for ONCE, I got selected, so I'll get free body wash and $10 for giving them feedback on it. Also had a free peppermint mocha from Starbucks for my birthday drink (came out to like $5.73, crazy!) for breakfast, then brought my lunch to avoid going along with the crew to lunch (and got some work done in the meantime). Lunch had quite a bit of my garden produce in it, so double win there.

Had to go for fasting (not even coffee) blood work this morning, and on the way home I was Jonesin' bad for a Tim Horton's coffee and bagel. There is something about Tim Horton's coffee that I just love. Anyway, came home and made my own coffee and bagel, and saved the money. I'm pretty sure everyone IRL would scoff at saving $5.